Indholdsfortegnelse for July 2024 i Hi-Fi Choice

PRICE: £6,500 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: LUXMAN.COM JAPANESE HI-FI SPECIALIST Luxman has announced the release of its Network Transport NT-07 with USB audio terminals that support digital input, so that users can design an audio environment connected to a Windows PC or Mac over a single, high-quality USB audio cable, such as the company’s JPU-150. A spokesperson elaborates: “In systems where general-purpose PCs are running audio applications, we understand that some users are struggling to solve many issues, such as noise and operability problems caused by the PC connection, as well as visual affinity when integrating into an existing system. The NT-07 is equipped with a powerful audio signal processing module based on the latest generation of application processors, a thorough audio-focused noise suppression system, a dedicated control app compatible with…

PRICE: £170 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: SENNHEISER-HEARING.COM SENNHEISER HAS LAUNCHED the latest member of its portable portfolio, the Accentum True Wireless in-ears. Featuring the brand’s proprietary 7mm dynamic True Response Transducers – made at the Sennheiser Tullamore factory – they come housed inside what the company claims is: “a completely unique take on earbud ergonomics”. Developed in collaboration with hearing aid manufacturer Sonova, Sennheiser arrived at: “an innovative contour that complements a wide range of wearers in a singular form”. Four sizes of ear-tips are included with the buds to help get a great seal for impactful low-frequency response and effective hybrid noise cancellation. Sennheiser continues: “When combined with the discreet beamforming mic array, the ANC reduces droning low-frequency distractions to a whisper, making quick work of airplane cabin noise, humming…

PRICE: £45,000 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: BANG-OLUFSEN.COM/EN/GB BANG & OLUFSEN has launched its revival version of the Beosystem 9000c music system. The new kit features a fully restored and reimagined Beosound 9000 CD player from the Nineties paired with B&O’s Beolab 28 speakers. Following the Beogram 4000c recreated turntable in 2020, Beosystem 9000c is the second project in the Danish company’s recreated classics series. B&O explains: “As well as showcasing our commitment to product longevity, we wanted to celebrate the revival of physical media that has taken place in recent years. Vinyl and CDs have returned to being something special, where people invest time and energy to connect with the music and artists they love. Longevity in design and the passion for music listening are essentially what we are celebrating with…

PRICE: €24,300-€127,000 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: CH-PRECISION.COM SWISS COMPANY CH Precision has launched its C10 DAC featuring a DSP-based, PEtER Spline Filter Algorithm paired with an all-new architecture, the DSQ Phase Array. It employs eight R2R DACs per channel in a dual differential topology, committing four DACs to each phase of the signal. The incoming samples are distributed sequentially, the first DAC receiving samples 1, 5, 9 etc, the second 2, 6, 10 and so on across the four chips. The company adds: “Such complex processing demands incredible accuracy and stability within the entire digital-to-analogue environment, from clock to software to low-pass filter and power supply. The remarkable processing speed delivers unprecedented resolution or harmonic and musical information, while the time domain demands translate directly to the musical reproduction, with a…

PRICE: £66,500 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: GOLDMUND.COM SWISS COMPANY GOLDMUND has introduced its Telos 800 stereo power amplifier. Boasting a power output of 2x 300W RMS into 8ohm loads and 2x 390W RMS into 4, the Telos 800 comes equipped with a 3,200VA toroidal power transformer. It features a distortion rate of less than 0.05 percent across IMD and THD+N measurements, and has a claimed dynamic range of 110dB. It comes in Goldmund’s trademark silver-grey finish for its standard edition and for those seeking personalised elegance, a golden ring option is available to replace the silver-grey ring on the top left front. Additionally, Goldmund offers a black version, available on demand. The Telos 800 measures 440 x 320 x 452mm (WxHxD) and weighs 57kg.…

IT’S 20 YEARS since the High End show relocated to the MOC centre in Munich and the unique layout of this space has seen the exhibition become one of the pre-eminent events on the calendar. The huge open-plan halls can handle booths of various sizes for more affordable offerings, while the atrium and room spaces – while not sonically perfect – are ideal for higher-end equipment to be shown off. This spread of space means that the whole industry has the scope to attend rather than it specialising on one single area. While affordable items were present, the show – as its name suggests – remains a launch event for serious bits of pricey high-end kit. Here we try to focus on the more broadly terrestrial end of things but rest…

From this young British turntable brand comes the most expensive deck in the group. The KT-100 attempts to bridge the all-important gap between convenience features and proper hi-fi performance, although like most decks here it is fully manual. Its raison d’être is to give serious audiophile sound quality, with as little fuss as possible. This is a ‘clean sheet’ design, with no bought-in bits from other turntable manufacturers, which isn’t always the case with budget record players. The bundled 120mm Talk A5 Carbon tonearm is a unipivot design, which is both a good and a bad thing. On the plus side, it’s a simple and inexpensive way of delivering very good sound. On the negative, unipivots are fiddly to hand-cue because they tend to wobble as you move them. It…

After decades of selling its Planar 2 and 3 models, Rega began to expand its range of popular budget turntables 20 or so years ago. The Planar 1 gives much of the quality of the 2 for less money and with a bundled cartridge. And now the Planar 1 Plus adds a built-in MM phono stage. As a fully manual turntable that requires cueing, it’s not as easy as the Rekkord to operate. This is the second-best made turntable in the group after the Kestrel, and just above the Pro-Ject. Rega is a master of using inexpensive materials intelligently to give a high-quality feel – and more importantly, sound. The base is MDF, with holes cut out for the motor, bearing and tonearm. Black, white and ‘walnut effect’ finishes are…

As one of the few companies to make complete audio systems with both analogue and digital sources, Gold Note is pretty prolific in terms of new product. The Vasari Shibata is very similar to the existing (and very good) Vasari Gold (HFC 429) and uses the same Duralumin body as the rest of the range. This means the cartridge looks and feels very smart, but is relatively heavy at 9.5g so some arms might struggle to balance it correctly. The pre-drilled mounts in the body are threaded, but the tolerances are tight and this, combined with the small ‘rollover hoop’-style guard means it is more nerve-racking to fit than some. The aluminium cantilever remains unchanged from the Gold, but mounts a Shibata profile line contact stylus on a nude mount.…

The Decemberists As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again CD YABB Records IN ADDITION TO his regular gig as frontman and songwriter with Oregon’s The Decemberists, Colin Meloy is one of rock’s most multi-faceted polymaths. His novels include the fantasy series The Wildwood Chronicles, currently being made into a Hollywood feature for which he’s composed the soundtrack. He’s written a rock opera, yet to be staged, and another theatrical project is currently “in development”. He even helped to create the popular card game Illimat. Amid all this extra-curricular activity it’s perhaps no surprise that it’s six years since we last heard from Meloy and his band – although he makes up for it on this, their ninth album, with a double set of remarkably eclectic and literate songs presented,…

SAVE 30% ON THE SHOP PRICE 3 ISSUES FOR £11.99! With FREE P&P, never miss an issue! SUBSCRIBE SECURELY ONLINE TODAY! https://checkout.avtechmedia.co.uk/EGENC OR CALL 01858 438446 LINES OPEN MONDAY TO FRIDAY – 9AM - 6PM Calls are charged at the same rate as standard UK landlines and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances. There are no additional charges with this number. Overseas calls will cost more. TERMS & CONDITIONS:. *UK print subscriptions offer only. AV Tech Media Ltd collects your data so that we can fulfil your subscription. We may also, from time to time, send you details of AV Tech Media Ltd offers, events and competitions but you always have a choice and can opt out by clicking on the unsubscribe button at the bottom of…

IF YOU’RE LOOKING for a reasonably priced upgrade for your speaker cables this might fit the bill. The Equator 2.0 is a 2mm² cable using Oxygen Free Copper (OFC) conductors contained in a high-density Polyethylene foam (PEF) dielectric. PEF is significantly more efficient than PVC or polyethylene insulation and, according to Atlas, offers better measured performance and an audible improvement in dynamics. The core assemblies are contained in a cotton yarn to reduce microphony and the cable is finished in a pearl white outer sheath. The two separate conductors are housed in a single jacket and then split into two single leads at both ends through a plastic boot. The cable is terminated in Atlas’ Achromatic Z-plug, which is proprietary low mass, self-cleaning and precision crimped (cold-weld). It is also…

The bomb goes off during Welcome To The Jungle. Axl’s singing: “D’you know where you are baby? You’re in the jungle and you’re gonna DIE!” when, for a split second, everything’s white-then-black. Axl just grimaces, breathes hard, pulls down his NWA cap, skips off stage and lets it pass. Slash doffs his top hat, lights a cig and plays the Godfather theme, Matt does his drum solo, Duff joins in and everything’s cool until Axl re-emerges in a fishnet shirt and launches into Rocket Queen. Suddenly there’s an explosion from somewhere about 15 feet from the stage, a blinding flash and a rocket narrowly misses Izzy. Axl flips: “First it’s a firecracker, now it’s a rocket…” He’s furious. “If you saw whoever lit that, we’ll give you 10 minutes to…

1 CLASS REUNION Blur: To The End is a new feature-length documentary, which will be in UK and Irish cinemas from 19 July. The doc covers the band’s recent return with The Ballad Of Darren, their first record in eight years and their sold-out, first ever shows at London’s Wembley Stadium in July last summer. Featuring performances of their most iconic, much-loved songs, footage of the band in the studio and life on the road, you can book tickets now at: blur.co.uk 2 THE PRICE IS RIGHT The classic UK music shop OurPrice has relaunched online. Founded in 1971 by Gary Nesbitt, Edward Stollins and Mike Isaacs, the first branch was located on London’s Finchley Road and by the early Nineties there were over 300 branches throughout the UK and Ireland. Then…

PRICE: £300-£900 AVAILABLE: AUGUST WEB: QACOUSTICS.CO.UK BRITISH SPEAKER MANUFACTURER Q Acoustics has released details of its affordable and high-performance 3000c loudspeaker range made up of the 3010c bookshelf, 3020c standmount, 3030c larger standmount, 3050c floorstander and the 3090c centre for a home cinema setups. Innovations to the series include a new ground-up C 3 (pronounced ‘C-cubed’) Continuous Curved Cone mid/bass profile designed with a view to ensuring superior bass dynamics and smoother integration with the high-frequency driver unit, which is hermetically sealed and mechanically isolated from the baffle, preventing modulation from the mid/bass driver. The low-colouration cabinets with Point to Point (P2P) bracing have been built to minimise low-end reverberation to improve the stereo image and soundstage. In the 3050c there are HPETM (Helmholtz Pressure Equaliser) tubes to disrupt the build-up…

PRICE: £209 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: GLORIOUS.DE HENLEYAUDIO.CO.UK FURNITURE AND STORAGE specialist Glorious has announced its Vinyl Vault, a modular design which displays and protects your records. Featuring a smoothly operational drawer system, the German company explains the Vinyl Vault: “offers an effortless way to browse your record collection while displaying it in style. Open a drawer, flick through your albums and, unlike Bono, you soon find what you’re looking for.” The drawers are soft-closing, each offering space for up to 80 12in records with the LPs at the back of the drawer accessible thanks to a telescopic full-extension runner. The rear of the drawer is also adjustable for flexible record loading. With a total capacity of up to 160 12ins, the modular storage solution has been designed for vinyl lovers…

PRICE: £7,500-£10,500 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: ATC.AUDIO ATC IS CELEBRATING its 50th anniversary with the release of an exclusive new active standmount loudspeaker, the SCM20ASL Limited Edition. It’s finished in a high-gloss lacquer in ATC’s trademark dark blue and, complementing the cabinet, the front baffle is hand-upholstered in royal blue full-grain napa leather by German leather specialists Eissmann. The exterior alloy components feature a silver anodised finish to contrast with the cabinet and baffle. The SCM20ASL Limited Edition integrates a two-way active system, previously only available in a floorstanding model, into a smaller standmount cabinet. It features ATC’s proprietary 150mm ‘Super Linear’ mid/bass driver paired with a 25mm ‘S-Spec’ dual-suspension tweeter. The bass driver operates in a 20-litre sealed cabinet and power is provided by on-board Class A/B MOSFET power amplifiers,…

PRICE: £900 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: NADELECTRONICS.COM NAD HAS ADDED a new amplifier to its Classic Series. The C 379 is described as a HybridDigital DAC Amplifier featuring a Class D output stage, ESS SABRE DAC and the company’s second generation of Modular Design Construction (MDC) technology for upgrades and expandability. Utilising a customised UcD output stage with HybridDigital technology to deliver a claimed 80W of Continuous Power (into 8 and 4ohm) and 120W of Dynamic Power (into 4ohm loads), the C 379 can additionally be bridged with the C 268 stereo power amplifier in a fully balanced configuration for 300W continuously and over 500W instantaneously to provide maximum power and performance for the most demanding tracks. The Canadian-based company claims that the C 379’s power supply consumes less than half the…

TURNTABLES GROUP TEST TURNTABLE GROUP TESTS arguably have more variables at play than any other review. That’s because there are myriad issues to consider, such as the choice of tonearm and cartridge and how well these match the deck itself. Here we’re assessing all-in-one packages, where the manufacturer has already fitted a tonearm, cartridge and phono stage. Each deck undergoes careful preparation before any formal listening is done. The stylus guards are removed and the tracking weight checked with a Technics SH-50P1 gauge, and reset correctly if need be. Tonearm cartridge alignment is done at the factory, but we double check with a Mobile Fidelity GeoDisc protractor. Each one is played for approximately 12 hours before proper listening begins. All decks are placed on a light, rigid Quadraspire support, positioned…

This is a slick and modern entry-level design that sports an excellent cart and the latest Bluetooth functionality. All of which makes it one of the best-specified designs here. The LBT-345WA comes with an Ortofon 2M Red (HFC 345) MM cartridge, which retails separately for £95. This makes the package especially appealing. The tonearm has a carbon fibre armtube and detachable headshell that some will find handy, as cartridges can be swapped quickly. Build quality isn’t bad for the price either, with a striking faux walnut gloss lacquered finish and a tonearm that looks decent, although not quite in the Rega, Pro-Ject or Kestrel class. Ergonomically, the Lenco isn’t bad; the ‘start/stop’ and ‘33/45’ controls are to the right of the tonearm, but the power button is hidden right at…

Back in 1975, almost every turntable was automatic. This meant that all you had to do was place your vinyl on the platter, press the ‘play’ button and the arm would lower the stylus into the groove. At the end of the side, it would lift the arm and return it to the rest position. Unlike every other deck here, the Rekkord does precisely this. Another unique feature here is the suspended sub-chassis design. It’s rather rarer to see it these days, but back in the golden age of vinyl most decks had some sort of similar spring suspension. This helps to prevent ‘acoustic feedback’ (a howling noise that can happen if the speaker is positioned too close to the turntable), and keeps the record playing if someone walks past…

Formerly known as Elgato, Eve is mainly recognised for its range of smart home devices for for Apple Home and, recently, Matter. Now it’s making a move into the audio world with the Eve Play streamer. This is an AirPlay streaming adapter that can be connected to a set of wired speakers or an amp that don’t have their own wireless features already built in. As AirPlay is an Apple-only technology, the Eve Play won’t work for owners of Android devices or Windows PCs. That’s in contrast to more expensive streaming rivals, such as the Wiim Pro (£150, HFC 511), which also supports Bluetooth, Chromecast and Roon. Eve Play also supports AirPlay’s wider multi-room capabilities, so you can create a multi-room speaker setup by simultaneously streaming music to it alongside…

Meaning “sword saint”, the Japanese word ‘Kensei’ is a title that is given only to the most supremely skilled warriors. The latest addition to iFi Audio’s ever-expanding range of portable DACs, it looks very similar to the original GO bar from 2022 (HFC 494). The Kensei swaps the GO bar’s sombre grey for a shiny silver finish and introduces new up-sampling tech. The gleaming finish is due to the use of Japanese stainless steel, which looks very smart and feels extremely sturdy. The Kensei also arrives packed in a fancy wooden box that includes a little holster with a belt loop for when you’re travelling, along with a USB-C cable, USB-A adapter and Lightning cable for Apple devices. Steel plating aside, it has the same basic design as the original…

More than good enough for studio desk use”, effused HFC about Technics SP-15 back in 1983. Though it had been on sale for three or so years at this point, the deck remained quite a secret compared with rival high-end British belt drives. And therein lay the problem. The SP-15 was a sort of half-way house between broadcast and pro audio and specialist hi-fi. The former market was more interested in its pricier big brother, the legendary SP-10, and the latter was dominated by Brit superdecks with strong local specialist dealer support. If you came to buy a Technics SP-15, you really had to want one. The SP-10 cast a huge shadow over the pro audio scene. It started life in 1970 as the first mass-production Japanese direct drive designed…

I remember going to a concert in 1977 at The Guildhall in Portsmouth and seeing the great guitarist Andres Segovia perform works by Albeniz, Schubert, Schumann and Mendelssohn entirely from memory. It was a wonderful concert and I recall being amazed at how he was able to commit all those pieces to memory. Somehow this gave the whole experience an enhanced sense of intimacy. With no sheet music in front of him, it was as though the music was emanating directly from his subconscious. The desire to play from memory really began in earnest with the solo concerts of Franz Liszt in the early decades of the 19th century. Until this time, playing from memory was frowned upon and viewed as arrogant and ostentatious. It was felt that playing without…

When Etta James was growing up singing in church her choirmaster instructed her to: “sing like your life depends on it”. As she later observed: “It turns out mine did.” She sang with an unmatched emotional hunger that could send a shiver down the spine. Sassy but soulful, earthy and yet graceful, her voice could scream, roar, ache, growl, purr and cry as she combined the passion of gospel, the groove of R&B and the raw essence of the blues. Asked to define her style, she simply called it: “vocal fire” and it was an incendiary influence on every red-blooded female singer who followed, from Janis to Amy. Beyoncé played her in the 2008 film Cadillac Records and Adele said that it was buying an Etta James CD when she…

SAVE 33% ON THE SHOP PRICE 3 ISSUES FOR £11.99! With FREE P&P, never miss an issue! SUBSCRIBE SECURELY ONLINE TODAY! https://checkout.avtechmedia.co.uk/EGENN OR CALL 01858 438446 LINES OPEN MONDAY TO FRIDAY – 9AM - 6PM Calls are charged at the same rate as standard UK landlines and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances. There are no additional charges with this number. Overseas calls will cost more. TERMS & CONDITIONS:. *UK print subscriptions offer only. AV Tech Media Ltd collects your data so that we can fulfil your subscription. We may also, from time to time, send you details of AV Tech Media Ltd offers, events and competitions but you always have a choice and can opt out by clicking on the unsubscribe button at the bottom…

THE NEW KID on the equipment isolation product block, OMEX Isolation’s Symphony supports come in two performance levels and a choice of two or three discs. The three-layer versions have an extra centre disc to further control resonances. Both Symphony A and S are designed to be an upgrade to the existing supports on equipment and speakers. Each of the two Symphony A discs will accommodate up to 45kg and the Symphony S up to 80kg. Each support has micro-grooved upper and lower discs to grip the equipment and the supporting rack or shelf. The centre piece of each upper disc contains a ‘tuning fork’ to dampen and control the flow of resonances. The Symphony A is machined from an Aluminium Polymer Compound (APC), which differs in density to that…

PRICE: £1,000-£5,300 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: US.AURALIC.COM US STREAMING SPECIALIST Auralic has released its new S1 streamer, updated Tesla G3 streaming platform-based Altair G2.2 and V10 software. The S1 is an entry-level audio streamer that inherits premium audio technologies from the G2.2 reference products, including Direct Memory Access (DMA), Direct Data Recording (DDR), Fusion DAC, Galvanic Isolation and more. Available in two variations, the Aries S1 features USB and digital outputs, while the Vega S1 offers XLR and RCA analogue outputs. Both models support streaming via Ethernet through Auralic’s Lightning DS, AirPlay 2, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Internet Radio and a range of digital input channels. Additionally, the S1 will soon be Roon Ready upon completion of Roon certification. Auralic is also offering the optional S1 Purer-Power External Power Supply Unit…

PRICE: £190 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: DENON.COM DENON HAS ANNOUNCED the release of its Home 150 NV Compact Smart Speaker with HEOS built-in. The company says the new model delivers the same sound quality as the Denon Home 150 (HFC 470), but without microphones and voice assistants for those who don’t need them. It can stream music from Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music HD, Pandora, Tidal, TuneIn, Deezer and more via wi-fi, AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth. With HEOS Built-in, the Denon Home 150 NV supports ALAC, FLAC and WAV PCM files up to 24-bit/192kHz as well as up to DSD128. It features three quick select buttons to store favourite internet radio stations and uses Apple AirPlay 2 to stream Apple Music wirelessly or group with other AirPlay 2-compatible speakers around the…

PRICE: £1,500 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: VOLUMIO.COM FLORENCE-BASED MUSIC STREAMING specialist Volumio has unveiled its Motivo Streamer transport and headphone amplifier. Boasting an 8in touchscreen and distinctive tactile red control knob, the company says the Motivo Streamer has the software and hardware connectivity to work with every streaming service and integrate with any home entertainment system or headphones. At its heart lies a SABRE ES9038 DAC that supports hi-res PCM music files up to 384kHz while outputs include XLR balanced and RCA unbalanced outs, coaxial and optical (up to 192kHz PCM), USB (up to 768kHz) and I2S HDMI (up to 384kHz PCM and DSD256). Users can enjoy AI music discovery, controlled and configured via an app, while Spotify, Tidal, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Roon Ready, YouTube, Bandcamp, Pandora and Fusion DSP are…

PRICE: £760 AVAILABLE: SEPTEMBER WEB: REMORA.PRO REMORA, THE AUDIO startup focused on the elimination of cables from professional and high-end consumer audio applications, has announced details of its inaugural product: the Remora PRO. Based on the Headphone 3.0 platform from Sonical Inc, it introduces an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless connection, which the company claims: “delivers an unparalleled lossless audio experience with imperceptible latency”. The product has been designed to connect with all existing audio sources via analogue and USB interfaces, and is adaptable to all headphone models. It also offers full Bluetooth support, ensuring backward compatibility with “billions” of wireless audio devices. Plug and play Remora says that the PRO: “fulfils the unmet performance needs of audio professionals and music enthusiasts that Bluetooth has been unable to support… By using CosmOS,…

PRICE: £15,500 AVAILABLE: NOW WEB: AUDIOVECTOR.COM RENAISSANCEAUDIO.CO.UK RENAISSANCE HAS ANNOUNCED it will be bringing Audiovector’s Trapeze Reimagined to the UK as it: “takes classic design cues and pairs them with the very latest audio tech to deliver a refined performance”. The original Trapeze, launched in 1979, was created with a view to reproducing the true sound of a concert hall. The company explains that the new Trapeze Reimagined follows the same principle and features innovative modern technology while paying homage to the company’s very first speaker. Due to the unique design, the front of the loudspeaker is angled toward the listener, while its rear remains parallel to the wall. The cabinet is hand-veneered for a sleek fit and finish, and braced for low distortion and colouration. Inside the cabinet, Audiovector’s…

WHEN VINYL SALES started rising, some 15 or so years ago, having previously been in decline since 1976, many people raised their eyebrows. What a strange phenomenon it was, we thought, as the venerable format began to buck what was surely an inevitable trend. Now in 2024, the ‘long playing microgroove record’ – to give it its proper name – is gradually being rehabilitated. You don’t need market research figures to tell you that – just go to a high-street music store. There’s way more vinyl than there has been for a long time. The LPs on sale tend to be classic rock or soul reissues (Pink Floyd, Marvin Gaye, etc.) or new stuff. Many are on coloured vinyl – something that horrifies the original generation of record collectors, due…

This is a pared-down version of Pro-Ject’s more expensive decks that still boasts a built-in phono preamp and Bluetooth transmitter. It’s very cleanly designed and well specified, but is a fully manual design. Only the fully automatic Rekkord – a sister company to Pro-Ject – has a complete answer for those wanting all-out convenience. While the F110P is made for ease of use, the E1 BT is effectively a proper hi-fi deck that’s ‘shrunk in the wash’ so to speak, with some convenience features added. This makes it conceptually similar to the Rega Planar 1 Plus – it has the look and feel of a price-cut version of a more expensive audiophile design. It’s the only deck here with an Ortofon OM-5E moving-magnet cartridge, which is of comparable quality with…

Violectric may be a new name to some, but behind the brand is a company getting on for four decades in business, principally in the pro audio field where it operates under the rather unusual moniker of Lake People – inspired by the company’s Lake Constance location in Germany. Since 2009 it has been designing products under the Violectric brand, using the technology of its pro models in the consumer audio market. It offers a wide range of headphone amplifiers covering just about every usage requirement, from the pocket-sized USB-powered Chronos at £185 all the way up to the £5,140 US 5 PRO from sub-brand Niimbus. The DHA V226 is its least expensive mains-powered DAC/headphone amp and while it may be compact in its desktop-friendly black, it certainly has a…

When it comes to pace of activity for a product development department, few come faster than Final. I can’t recall another hi-fi component that has launched and been superseded by its MK2 evolution in the same year. I reviewed Final’s ZE8000 flagship true wireless IEM in 2023 (HFC 506). Granted, it wasn’t tops for battery life, recharging convenience or noise cancelling, but its sound quality was so exceptional it easily bagged a strong recommendation. Modifications made to justify the ‘MK2’ moniker include new ‘Shield Fin’ eartips for a snugger fit and increased passive noise isolation, an improved signal-to-noise ratio for greater detail retrieval, the introduction of an option to deactivate Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) altogether and a max volume hike of 5dB. Final claims the ZE8000 MK2 is 32 percent…

Although I’ve spent 30 years making a living from writing about pop and rock music, if you stuck me on a desert island and only permitted me eight picks, the majority would be classical. As a reviewer I get all my non-classical CDs free and can blag my way on to the guest list for just about any pop/rock/jazz gig – but I spend a fortune on tickets at the Royal Opera House and for Glyndebourne and, luckily, slightly less on buying such music on CD, thanks to boxsets turning up in charity shops at a pound a pop. Yet I fear for the future of classical music in Britain and a recent series on Radio 3 presented by Richard Morrison eloquently articulated why. Titled The Land Without Music?, the…

HURRY OFFER CLOSES 31ST DECEMBER 2024 PRINT + DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION 13 issues delivered to you before the shops Free P&P Great savings on the shop price Digital access to the mag on multiple devices Access online archive dating back to Sep 2011 PRINT SUBSCRIPTION All issues delivered to you before the shops Free P&P Great savings on the shop price Never miss an issue SAVE 75% ON YOUR DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTION* SCAN TO SUBSCRIBE IN EVERY ISSUE: Reviews of all the latest turntables, amplifiers, loudspeakers, DACs, CD players, streamers and hi-fi accessories. Plus: group tests, music reviews, opinions, news and all your hi-fi woes answered TERMS & CONDITIONS: Offer ends 31st December 2024. *This digital discount is only available when you subscribe to the ‘Print + Digital’ package. You still get…

Hi-FiChoice Recommends ESSENTIAL HI-FI YOU’LL WANT TO OWN CD PLAYERS Audiolab 6000CDT PRICE: £380 REVIEWED: HFC 447 The 6000CDT is exceptional at revealing what’s on your discs to deliver a great big soundstage with plenty of detail inside. It can dig down deep into the mix to eke out the different musical strands while dynamically and rhythmically it’s hard to beat at the price. In short, it’s a super, highly affordable audiophile CD transport. Musical Fidelity M6scd PRICE: £2,500 REVIEWED: HFC 499 An exemplary player with more than a hint of star quality to it, the M6scd paints a broad and deep soundstage populated with solid, well-focused and perfectly placed images. Regardless of genre of music or production standard, its handling of spatial elements is among the very best in the business.…

SAVE 36% ON THE SHOP PRICE 3 ISSUES FOR £11.50! With FREE P&P, never miss an issue! SUBSCRIBE SECURELY ONLINE TODAY! https://checkout.avtechmedia.co.uk/EGENHC OR CALL 01858 438446 LINES OPEN MONDAY TO FRIDAY – 9AM - 6PM Calls are charged at the same rate as standard UK landlines and are included as part of any inclusive or free minutes allowances. There are no additional charges with this number. Overseas calls will cost more. TERMS & CONDITIONS: *UK print subscriptions offer only. AV Tech Media Ltd collects your data so that we can fulfil your subscription. We may also, from time to time, send you details of AV Tech Media Ltd offers, events and competitions but you always have a choice and can opt out by clicking on the unsubscribe button at the…